Bad Love ~ An Essex Boys Story ~ Chapter 9

[isabel77]

As I mentioned, my next chapter is finished and I just got back from my beta, my dear friend Jacqui *hugs*, who gave it the green light and 2 very enthusiastic thumbs up!

Jason is back to his old self in this one...in more ways than one. ;)

(I think I figured out why LJ said it was too long...I was posting in 'rich text' mode and that adds all that extra code....now I remember why I don't use that very much.....I think this will all fit in one post now...)

Here are the previous chapters:

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8 ~ Part 1
Chapter 8 ~ Part 2

P.S. This chapter is rated NC-17 - NOT work safe at all.






Never thought I’d see it…but if I didn’t know better I’d say Jason Locke was in love. Can you imagine? I don’t know what ‘appened that mornin’ on the beach, but Jason ain’t been quite the same since. He called ‘is lawyer as soon as he got back in the car, an’ he weren’t none too ‘appy with the conversation. An’ then later I ‘ear ‘im talkin’ with Pete ‘bout ‘avin’ Lisa “taken care of,” if ya know what I mean. Jason was sayin’ he couldn’t do that; Alex would be suspicious.

An’ then Pete says, “Well, we make it look like an accident then.”

“Nah…” Jason told him, “let’s just wait a bit, I’ll think a summat.”

See wot I mean? Actually thinkin’ before doin’ summat…just ain’t like ‘im. Oh, he’s still Jason an’ I wouldn’t wanna piss ‘im off…but it seems like it takes more ta set ‘im off lately, ‘specially if Alex is around. An’ I ain’t seen ‘im with any a ‘is birds lately, either. He’d been ‘avin’ me set things up fer ‘im…after he leaves the Avalon, but it’s been almost two weeks. I even pointed out a tasty lookin’ blond that’d been askin’ ‘bout ‘im…you know wot he says? “I’m sick a blonds.” he tells me. Jason Locke not interested in a beautiful blond with a nice little arse? It must be love!

An’ he seems ta ‘ave a diff’rent attitude ‘bout some things now, too. Like right now…we just picked up the ‘groceries’ as Mr. D used ta say. Jason used ta get off on it…countin’ ‘ow much dough he was gonna make on each shipment. But now he’s just sittin’ watchin’ out the window as we head ta Peter’s house.

I’m wonderin’ what he could be thinkin’ ‘bout that’s keepin’ ‘him so quiet. S’pose it’s prob’ly Alex, ‘at’s really all that’s on ‘is mind lately. So I just let him think and keep my mouth shut. We drive on fer a bit and then he turns around and he’s lookin’ back at this car park we just drove past.

“Turn around, Billy.” He says.

Now I’m thinkin’ with this gear we got in the boot we shouldn’t be stoppin’ anywhere, but before I can say so he turns and glares at me. “Turn the fuckin’ car ‘round…now!”

~~~~~~~~~~

As soon as Billy pulled the sedan into the car park of the small, remote inn, he knew exactly why Jason had made him turn around. There, on the far side of the building was a zircon Jaguar XKR…Jason’s zircon Jaguar XKR…the very same Jag that had been in Jason’s garage when they’d left his house less than two hours earlier.

Jason nodded to the black SUV parked next to it. “Ain’t that John Dyke’s Rover?”

Billy hadn’t even noticed it until Jason pointed it out, but sure enough…it was definitely John Dyke’s vehicle. Billy should know, he’d driven it on more than one occasion when he worked for Dyke. “Yeah…” was all Billy said. He didn’t dare voice the thoughts going through his head. Lisa and Mr. D? He never would have guessed that in a million years.

“Fuckin’ cunt…” Jason muttered. “Dyke?”

“Maybe it ain’t wot y’think.” Billy said, though he couldn’t really think of any other explanation.

Jason just looked at him. “Yeah? An’ wot d’you think they’re doin’ here, then?”

Billy didn’t answer and Jason just shook his head, looking at his car. The bitch even had the balls to drive his car to her sorid little rendezvous. She’ll pay for this, Jason vowed silently and opened the car door. Before he got out, he turned to Billy. “You go on t’Pete’s house and don’t make no other stops. I don’t want ya waitin’ ‘round ‘ere in case they end up callin’ the cops.” He didn’t know what was going to happen, but it probably wasn’t going to be good.

Billy nodded and Jason climbed out of the car. Before he closed the door, he leaned down and gave Billy one last instruction. “You sit tight at Pete’s an’ wait fer me call, yeah? I’ll be needin’ y’later.”

After he closed the door, Jason watched Billy drive away before he looked up at the blank windows of the Inn. “Fuckin’ bitch…” he hissed, and taking a deep breath, went to confront his wife.

Jason still couldn’t believe it. Lisa was having an affair…with John Dyke? It’s gotta be somethin’ else, what on earth would she see in that ol’ geezer, he thought as he approached the front entrance of the Inn. He tried to think of some other reason she would be meeting him here, but he could not come up with any other explanation. Jason shook his head in disbelief as he pulled open the door.

The rather plump, middle-aged woman behind the desk looked up when Jason walked in. “Mornin’ love,” she greeted with a smile. “How can I help you?”

“I’m lookin’ fer me wife.” Jason snarled.

The clerk sighed. She’d seen this happen too many times. “I see…” she replied, “and your wife is a guest here?”

“Well, me car’s outside an’ I didn’t drive it ‘ere.” Not in the mood to play twenty questions Jason got right to the point. “Now I wanna know wot room she’s in.”

The woman was not about to cave into some irate husband looking for his wayward wife. If he’d been much of a husband the wife wouldn’t be here in the first place. “I’m sorry, sir,” she said politely, if not a bit complacently, “but unless your name is on the registration I cannot give you the room number.”

“Well, I doubt she’d be doin’ that if she were ‘ere another bloke, now would she?” Jason growled, about ready to shove the woman’s smug little smile down her throat.

“I’m sorry, sir,” the woman began a bit more haughtily, “but to ensure the privacy of our guests…”

“Fuck yer privacy!” Jason interrupted, slamming his fist down on the desk. “D’you know who th’fuck I am?”

The woman straightened her shoulders and looked Jason right in the eyes. “Unless you’re the new King of England it makes no difference who….”

“I’m Jason Locke.” He informed her before she could finish and Jason almost laughed at the look on her face when she realized who she was talking to. Makes a difference now, doesn’t it, y’old hag? There were certain advantages having a reputation such as his.

Jason leaned over the desk, resting on his left elbow. “Now we can do this one a two ways…” he began in a low, menacing growl. “I can start bustin’ down doors until I find the right one…” He paused to give the woman a moment to picture the scenario. “Or y’can give me the number an’ a key and no one else’ll even know I’m ‘ere.”

The woman looked at Jason for a minute and knew by the look in his eyes he was dead serious. She swallowed slowly before looking through her short list of guests. “I…I don’t have anyone with that last name.”

“She couldn’t a been ‘ere more’n an hour…she were at ‘ome when I left. Jason told the suddenly cooperative clerk. “Red hair…drivin’ at Jag ‘at’s outside…maybe wif an ol’ geezer name a Dyke.”

“Oh…” There were only twelve rooms in the small Inn and only four of them occupied, but with that description the woman knew exactly who Jason was looking for. Taking a deep breath and saying a silent prayer, she handed Jason a key. “Room 9…upstairs.”

Taking the key with only a nod of thanks Jason turned to go up the stairs. “Mr. Locke?” Jason looked back at the woman. “Please don’t make me call the authorities…”

Jason chuckled mischievously, “I’ll do me best, sweetheart.”

As he went to the stairs, Jason was trying to decide how he should handle the situation. He should just kill them both and be done with it but like an idiot he had to announce his presence at the desk, so he could hardly get away with it. He could wait and deal with them later but he had already sent Billy away.

Jason still couldn’t believe Lisa would have the guts to cheat on him…and with John Dyke of all people. His blood simmered at the thought of it. After all he did for John…he would have to pay. Jason patted his pocket that held his ever-present vial of acid. Dyke had escaped unscathed the last time, but there was no way he was going to talk his way out of this one.

And Lisa…what was he going to do about her? Whatever it was, it had to look like an accident, otherwise Alex…Jason stopped halfway up the stairs. Alex…fuck. He leaned back against the wall to ponder how to keep up appearances where Alex was concerned, when a huge grin spread across Jason’s face. This was bloody perfect! This was just what his lawyer had been talking about…now he had something on Lisa and could make an offer more to his liking. He almost burst out laughing, but he didn’t want to give himself away. If he played this right, he could come out of this smelling like a rose! He could go to Alex a free man and not even have to get his hands dirty.

Forgetting the pocket with the acid, Jason reached into his breast pocket for his mobile. He was glad he had Billy show him how to use the camera in his phone. Up until now he had just used it for some nice tit shots of the tarts in the clubs. He had never thought he could use it to change his life.

Flipping the device open, he silenced the ringer so no untimely calls would spoil his surprise. He then set it to camera mode and went up the rest of the stairs. He paused outside the door to room nine and could hear John Dyke’s grunts and Lisa’s moans through the door. A part of him had still been in denial, that he had to be wrong about all this, but now that he heard them there was no doubt. The sound nearly made his stomach turn. Fuckin’ bitch, he thought as his anger began to rise again. How could Lisa do this to him? Jason never once considered all the times he had done it to her. He never wondered if this was how she felt every time she caught him with another woman.

Jason took a deep breath as he tried to clear his head. Think of Alex, he told himself. Take care a this right an’ tonight she’ll be yers. He forced his anger back, there was no way he would mess up an opportunity like this. He could always deal with Lisa…and John in a more suitable way at a later date, if he still felt the need.

He checked his camera phone again to be sure it was ready and then slowly slid the key into the lock. The noises on the other side of the door were getting louder and Jason tried not to think about what he was going to see when he opened the door. Being as quiet as he could, he slowly turned the key and pushed the door open about two inches. The room was arranged so that he had full view of the bed through the opening and once again, Jason had to choke back his anger at the sight of his wife and former friend.

John Dyke was flat on his back and Lisa was riding him like a red-coated hunter on a blue-blooded thoroughbred; all that was missing was the riding crop. Jason thought briefly about the times she had ridden him like that and his anger almost won out until he reminded himself that if he just took care of this the right way it would be Alex straddling his cock tonight.

Jason quickly took two pictures of the unsuspecting pair and then flung the door open. “C’mon Lisa…” he said, snapping a third photo of their shocked faces. “Y’can ride better’n than that! Or are y’avin’ trouble stayin’ on Johnny’s lil’ pecker?”

“Jason!” Lisa gasped and scrambled off the bed to gather her clothes.

“Oh, so ya remember me, do ya? Yer ‘usband?” Jason snarled as he stepped inside the room and closed the door behind him. “Were ya thinkin’ a me while y’were fuckin’ ol’ Johnny ‘ere?”

“I don’t know, Jason…do you think a me when yer fuckin’ all yer little sluts?”

“Shut it, y’cunt!” Jason sneered before he back-handed Lisa across her face. “I ‘ad ta think a them when I were fuckin’ you!”

Jason’s words stung but Lisa fought back the tears as she tried to get dressed until Jason snatched the clothes from her hands and pushed her down on the bed. “Don’t be getting’ shy now, babe….ain’t nothin’ we ain’t seen before, eh, John?”

John Dyke had sat up and moved back against the headboard, pulling the bedcovers tight around him. He said nothing. He knew better, being completely defenseless as he was, he thought it best to keep his mouth shut. “So is this why y’wanted nothin’ to do with me anymore Dyke? Eh?” Jason asked him. “Is it easier to shag me wife when we ain’t mates no more…is ‘at it?”

Jason didn’t wait for an answer, but turned to Lisa who sat hugging her knees at the corner of the bed. “Yknow, if yer gonna be sneakin’ about…” Jason suggested, “Y’shouldn’t be doin’ it in my car…y’know there’s probably only one that color on this whole bloody island, doncha?” Jason shook his head in disgust. “Stupid fuckin’ cunt.” He sneered. “Y’know…you two make a good pair….his shriveled up lil’ dick an’ that dried up ol’ cunt a yers…a match made in ‘eaven, eh?”

Lisa’s pride would not allow her to remain silent any longer. “Just because you don’t get me wet anymore, doesn’t mean…” Her words were cut off by another hard backhand to her right temple.

“Shut the fuck up!” Jason growled, grabbing a fistful of red hair. “I should fuckin’ kill the both a ya!” With a shove he pushed Lisa so she fell across John’s lap. He then gave her a good smack on her bottom for good measure.

He snickered as Lisa sat up and huddled next to John. “Er maybe I should give y’both a nice makeover, yeah?” John Dyke’s eyes grew big as Jason pulled the vial out of his pocket. “Might be an improvement fer both a ya.” He added with a snicker.

“Jason…please…” John pleaded.

“Please?” Jason mocked. “Please what, John? Please may I fuck yer wife?” Jason kneeled with one knee on the bed and leaned closer to the cowering pair as he slowly began to remove the cap. He laughed as they both begged for mercy. “Y’know wot, John? You can fuckin’ ‘ave her.” He said, tightening the cap and putting the bottle back in his pocket. “I don’t give a shit.”

Walking around to the foot of the bed, Jason turned and held them both with a steely glare. “Now I want y’both to keep yer traps shut an’ listen up.” He ordered. “Yer gonna do exactly as I say…no questions, got it? Er I might just change me mind an’ kill y’both anyway…right?” He paused as both nodded.

“Now John…I don’t give a fuck what you do…as long as I don’t ‘ave to see that ugly mug a yers again, I’m happy, got it?”

“Yes…yes, of course, Jason.” John agreed readily. He nearly wet himself at being let off the hook so easily, but he was not about to look a gift horse in the mouth and would be glad to avoid Jason at all costs in the future. He assumed Jason had ulterior motives, but was not about to question them when he had a good chance of escaping the situation intact.

Jason then turned his attention to Lisa. “As for you, ya cheatin’ ol’ slag…”

“Well, if ‘at ain’t the pot callin’ the kettle black…” snipped Lisa, but her bravado was short lived when she suddenly found Jason’s hand around her throat.

Lisa’s quip had sent Jason across the bed in the blink of an eye and he pinned her back against the wall with a firm grip on her neck.

“Wot’d I tell ya, eh?” Jason growled as Lisa gasped for air. “Ya can’t keep yer fuckin’ gob shut, can ya?” Jason slowly tighten his grip. “Now yer gonna listen an’ do exactly as I say, er you’ll be done right here, yeah?”

Though she struggled to breath, Lisa nodded as best she could. For the first time in their tumultuous marriage, she actually feared for her life. They’d had plenty of heated arguments over the years with Lisa usually on the losing end, but this time was different. She didn’t see the usual heated anger in his eyes, but a cold, deadly determinedness that truly frightened her.

Jason loosened his grip only slightly as he gave Lisa her instructions. “Yer gonna stay right ‘ere and in a couple hours yer gonna get some papers from me lawyer…and yer gonna sign these papers…”

“Papers?” Lisa croaked. “D-divorce papers?”

“Yeah….that’s right…divorce papers.” Jason confirmed. “An’ yer gonna sign ‘em…no arguments…yer gonna take whatever I decide to give ya an’ we’re done with it, right?”

“But…”

“But what?” Jason asked, increasing the pressure on her throat.

“Your keepin’ the house…” Lisa stated barely above a whisper. It wasn’t a question; she knew he would never give up that house.

“That’s right.” Jason said, squeezing even harder. “Y’got a problem with ‘at?”

The hold on her neck loosened after she managed to shake her head.

“Now yer gonna sign them papers, right?” Jason could feel Lisa’s quickened pulse throbbing beneath his fingers as she nodded. He always got off on the fear he instilled in people and this was no exception. When she didn’t respond aloud he slammed Lisa’s head back against the wall. “Right?”

“Yes…” Lisa whispered.

“Good…” Jason smirked. He loosened his grip but still held her fast against the headboard. “Then tomorrow mornin’ yer gonna come by my house and clean out yer shit…an’ then I’m never gonna ‘ave t’look at ya again, got it?” Jason wasn’t really sure it would be as simple as all that, but he’d worry about that later. All he cared about was getting Lisa out of his life as soon as possible so he could finally have Alex.

Though she tried, Lisa could not hold back the tears as she nodded, agreeing to follow Jason’s instructions. She couldn’t believe that he could cast her aside so easily after all they’d been through together, after all the times she had forgiven him. What was she going to do now? Where was she supposed to live? She voiced that second questin aloud as Jason released her and climbed off the bed.

“I don’t give a shit.” Jason answered with a menacing laugh. “Why don’t ya move in with Johnny here…I’m sure Henry wouldn’t mind, eh John?” He continued to laugh when he got no response from either one of them. “Now where are me keys?” he said, looking around the room.

“K-keys?” Lisa stuttered.

“What? You don’t think I’m gonna leave ya my Jag, do ya?”

“But how am I supposed to pick up my things if I don’t have a car?”

“Sort it out!” Jason ordered as he grabbed her bag off the dresser. “Maybe y’can ride ol’ Johnny over…y’seem to like ‘at well enough.” He chuckled as he dumped the contents of Lisa’s purse on the bed. He sifted through the pile until he found the keys and as an afterthought, took her credit cards from her wallet, as well. Lisa started to protest, but one look from Jason shut her up. He grinned when he saw her bite her lip to keep quiet and went to the door. He was proud of himself for keeping things under control. Although a part of him was disappointed that they were getting off so easy. I can always get ‘em later, he thought to himself and turned to give one last warning. “Now, you two are gonna do exactly as I say an’ you can live a long, miserable life together, right? If one thing don’t go accordin’ to my plans, you’ll both be takin’ a nice long swim…understand?” Satisfied when he got nods from both parties on the bed, he quickly left the room.

With his step light, Jason practically bounced down the steps until he nearly ran into the desk clerk, who had been listening at the bottom of the stairs for sounds of trouble.

Jason flashed a big smile at the woman. “That weren’t so bad, eh?” The clerk just stepped aside and let out a big sigh of relief as Jason left the Inn.

If Jason were the type he would have let out a big shout of joy for the weight that had been lifted from his shoulders. Instead he just chuckled to himself as he got into his Jaguar.

Jason rang his lawyer as soon as he pulled the vehicle onto the roadway. The man balked at the idea of having Lisa served with papers that very day, but Jason would hear none of it. He paid the bastard very well, and he would damn well get his money’s worth.

The solicitor had put together a rough draft for Jason when he first approached him about the divorce, but thought Jason had put the whole thing on hold when he didn’t like the settlement he would be required to give Lisa. He had expected Jason to take care of it in his own unique way, and being the unscrupulous solicitor that he was, the man was more than happy to look the other way.

“I don’t care who’s palms y’gotta grease,” Jason ordered, “just get it done…today.”

By the time Jason had pulled into his drive he was confident his lawyer would be able to handle everything as planned and set his mind to getting Lisa out of his house.

Initially, Jason had planned on bringing Alex to his house that night to prove to her that Lisa was really gone, but once he got home he decided he would rather get rid of any sign of his wife, before he showed his place to Alex. He also decided that, rather than have Lisa come in and pack her own stuff, and probably some of his while she was at it; he would get rid of it himself. That would ensure that she did not take anything he felt she was not entitled to, as well as keep the bitch out of the house.

With these decisions made he immediately began packing up Lisa’s things and by the time Billy arrived an hour later he had a good-sized pile in the foyer. Jason had called Billy as soon as he got home and had him bring along Nigel and Will, two of Jason’s most trusted boys to watch the house for the night.

Jason instructed Billy to bring Lisa’s Mercedes to the front and had the boys load it up. When he was satisfied that all of his wife’s personal belongings were out of the house, he told Billy to park the Mercedes outside the gates and changed the pass code. He then arranged for Nigel’s wife to give the house a thorough cleaning later that afternoon. She would be sure the place was completely presentable when he brought Alex to see it the next day.

With everything settled to his liking, Jason went upstairs to take a shower. His thoughts went immediately to Alex as the warm water trickled over his skin. His cock began to stiffen as Jason imagined the night ahead of him, but he refused to relieve himself. He was done wanking off thinking of Alex. In a matter of hours he would have what he had been waiting for…he would not be put off any longer. A small inkling of doubt crept into Jason’s mind, saying that Alex might still reject him, but he refused to acknowledge it. She would be his before the day was out, one way or another.




Alex went down to the club just before noon. It had been a long morning, waking early after an extremely vivid dream featuring Jason and her Jaguar that left her in need of some very strenuous activity or a cold shower…or both. Unfortunately, neither helped.

While she had worked up quite a sweat that morning on her run, even running farther than usual, she still could not ease the ache that seemed to be getting stronger with every passing day, every time she saw Jason. Every smile, every glance, every little touch went right to her core and she knew there was only one thing that would help…one person that could relieve her frustrations. But she was still fighting it, she knew it would be trouble to start things up with Jason, in more ways than one, and she needed to keep her cool and stay focused but it was getting increasingly difficult every time she saw him, especially since their walk on the beach.

What made it even harder was the fact Alex no longer had Bobby to distract her, either. Some nights she would curse herself for saying anything to him, she should have just let him keep coming to visit her at night. If he was able to handle it then why should she care? But she did care and she knew it was best in the long run, even though she hated what it had done to them. Bobby rarely spoke to her now and if he did it was strictly business. Even now as she sat at the end of the bar he went about his business like she wasn’t even there, and she had been there over an hour.

Mick and Shawn had not come in yet but Bobby was there before she was, as usual. He had already made the coffee and was doing the monthly inventory behind the bar. He had barely acknowledged her when she came down and made no move to get her coffee or anything else.

Alex watched Bobby count each bottle of liquor as she sipped on the coffee she had eventually gotten for herself. When he began to pull the beer from the reach-in cooler under the front of the bar she’d had enough, she couldn’t stand the silence any longer.

“Have you done the storage room yet?” she asked in attempt to start some sort of conversation.
Bobby just shook his head and went on with his count.

Alex frowned when he didn’t even look up at her. “I can help you with that, if you like.” She told him, tilting her head to try and get a look at his face.

Bobby said nothing as he wrote the number on his inventory list. When he finished, he removed the paper and dropped the clipboard with the list for the storeroom on the bar in front of Alex. The clatter echoed through the empty club.

Alex sighed in frustration as Bobby went on with his silent counting. She watched as wrote another number on his page and went on to count the next item.

Though Bobby didn’t acknowledge her, he was very aware of Alex’s every move, and he knew he was being watched. He didn’t know why he tortured himself so, it was painful being around her, but he hurt even more when he was away from her, and he hated himself for it. He tried to build up an invisible wall of silence between them to shield himself, but it was difficult to keep up.

“So how long is this going to go on?” Alex asked him.

“What?” was the only reply as Bobby kept counting.

“This silent treatment…how long do you think you can go without talking to me?”

“I got nothin’ to say to you.” Bobby said flatly as he tried to count the next item, though in truth it was becoming difficult o keep track.

“Really?” Alex sounded surprised. “Nothing? Not even a ‘Fuck you, Alex’?”

Finally looking up, Bobby brushed the hair back from his face and stared at her for a minute. “I already said that.” He replied finally. “I can say it again, if you really want me to.”

“No, that’s not what I want…” Alex sighed in frustration. “Don’t you want to talk about it?”

Bobby rolled his eyes and looked off into the darkened corner of the club. “I’ve been trying to get you to talk about it for months.” He said coldly, looking back at her with an accusing glare. “There’s nothing to talk about anymore…I finally got it, okay? You were perfectly clear this time…you don’t love me…I got it.” With that he turned and attempted to start his count over.

“I can’t help how I feel, Bobby.” Alex said in her defense.

Bobby stopped counting and slowly turned his head to look at her, the sadness clear in his dark eyes. “Neither can I.” he said quietly.

Alex held his gaze for a moment before looking guiltily down into her coffee cup. When she looked up again Bobby had gone back to his work.

“So we can’t even be friends?” Alex asked quietly.

Bobby almost laughed…almost. How could they just be friends? He was still in love with her despite everything, and probably always would be, and it was clear she didn’t feel the same way. Typical Alex, he thought, trying to salvage a friendship out of it to make herself feel better. “I have enough friends.” He answered bitterly.

Well, I don’t, Alex thought to herself. Even though Mick was like the big brother she never had, it was Bobby who had been her best friend for the last couple years. Why did she have to ruin it? Why did she have to have doubts? Why did he keep coming back everyday?

“So why are you here then?” she asked, posing her last question aloud. “Why do you keep coming in here if you can’t stand to be around me?”

Bobby shook his head. “You think it’s always about you, don’t you? In case you haven’t noticed, you’re not the only one involved. We’re partners…a team. The four of us started this and the four of us will finish it.” He paused and looked her straight in the eye. “Unlike you, when I make a commitment, I keep it.”

“I’m sorry…I thought that was what I wanted…I thought you were what I wanted…”

“Yeah, and now I’m not - so let’s just drop it, okay? I’m sick of talking about it.”

Alex sighed deeply as Bobby went back to his inventory. “Bobby…” She started, but didn’t really know what to say. She wanted to tell him she was sorry and she had never meant to hurt him, but she really didn’t think he wanted to hear that at that moment, if ever.

She decided to drop it as he requested, but the tense silence that followed was unnerving. Alex was relieved to hear the sound of the front door opening, but that relief was fleeting as she saw Jason walking through the door and not Mick or Shawn.

Just what I need, Alex thought. She was already on edge and now she had to deal with Jason in the middle of the day? She needed time to prepare for him, to put up her defenses, before she faced him everyday. She hated when he surprised her.

“Just the lady I’m lookin’ for…” Jason said with a heart-stopping grin as he walked past the bar toward her.

Alex took a deep breath and picked up the clipboard in front of her. “You’re here a bit early.” She stated calmly, even though her heart was pounding faster and faster as he came around the end of the bar.

“I need to talk to you.” He said huskily.

Alex slid off the bar stool, clutching the clipboard, and stepped behind the bar to find something to write with. Finding a pen next to the cash register, she looked up at Jason. “Make it quick, I’ve got work to do.”

“That can wait.” Jason told her, nodding at the clipboard in her hand. “This is important.” It got even more important as Jason looked her over. Alex was dressed for the warm summer day outside in a red tank top and red pumps and a black denim mini-skirt…a very short black denim mini-skirt. Green eyes traveled slowly over her shapely, tanned legs.

Sighing, Alex stopped in the opening that led behind the bar. “What is it, Jason?”

With a frown, Jason looked over at Bobby, who was about halfway down the bar, still at the beer cooler. Bobby just glared at him. “Can we go up t’yer office er summat?” he asked turning back to Alex.

What the hell is he up to now? He had a strange look on his face and Alex didn’t think this was the time to start trusting him. “You can say whatever you have to say right here. We’re all friends, right?”

Jason had wanted to do this in private, but then he thought maybe Bobby needed to hear this too. “Yeah…sure.” He said with a shrug and stepped closer to Alex. The look in those amazing green eyes nearly made her heart stop. “It’s done, babe.” Jason said. “Lisa’s gone.” Before she could jump to the wrong conclusion, he added, “I’m gettin’ divorced.”

“What?” Alex took a step back in shock. That was the last thing she expected to hear. She glanced over at Billy.

“It’s true.” Billy told her before giving Bobby a sympathetic glance.

“Yeah…me lawyer called on the way here…she just signed the papers.” Of course, Jason sending two of his boys along to deliver those papers helped ensure his instructions were followed.

Alex couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Just like that?”

“I been talkin’ to m’lawyer fer a couple a weeks…an’ this mornin’ I caught ‘er in a hotel room…fuckin’ an ol’ friend a mine.” Jason couldn’t help the bitterness in his voice as he said that last bit.

“I’m sorry, Jason…” Alex told him, not really knowing what else to say.

“Don’t be, babe.” He answered, stepping closer and slipping an arm around Alex’s waist. “I’m a free man now…” he told her, his eyes sparkling as they met hers. “We can do things yer way now…I’m all yers…” Jason dipped his head to kiss her, not caring now who else was there, but Alex pushed past him, sliding out of his grasp.

Fuck, she screamed in her head, fuck…fuck…FUCK! She needed to get away from him, she needed to think. How could he just spring this on her? He had never mentioned one word about seeing a lawyer…about getting a divorce. Fuck! Alex’s eyes shot nervously around the club until they landed on Bobby. His face was cold, waiting for her to say something.

“Ain’t this wot y’wanted?” Jason asked her, clearly confused by her reaction.

She looked at him, still needing to get away and think this through. “I hope you didn’t do this just for me?”

Of course he did this for her, if not for her, Lisa and John would be dead by now, but he wasn’t about to tell her that. “C’mon Alex, you known all along it ain’t been good between me an’ Lisa, not fer a long time…you just made me finally wanna do somethin’ ‘bout it.”

“Sorry you went to all that trouble.” She said, shaking her head, and then out of the blue added, “But I’m seeing someone else now.” She wasn’t sure where that came from but she needed to stall and it was the only thing that popped into her head.

Jason’s face started to turn red, his nostrils flaring. “Wot th’ell are y’talkin’ about?” Now it was Jason that couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“You didn’t really expect me to sit around waiting for you, did you?” Alex asked.

“Y’didn’t wait long, did ya?” Jason growled.

Alex didn’t flinch. “To be honest, I never thought it would happen.” She told him, which was definitely the truth.

Jason’s blood was boiling. Surely he would know if Alex had started seeing someone. “Who th’fuck is it?” he snarled.

Alex glanced at Bobby, but she knew he would back her up no matter how angry he might be with her. When Jason saw where her eyes moved his lips turned up in a menacing sneer. “It’s not him…not Bobby.” She told him.

“Who is it?” he asked again, losing his patience. Whoever it was would be dead by nightfall.
“You don’t know him…” Alex said. “I met him…jogging.”

Jason looked at her for a minute, wondering if she was making all of this up…if maybe she really didn’t want to be with him. “I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t really care if you do or not.” Alex replied and looked down at the clipboard she was still clutching to her chest. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get to this inventory.”

“We ain’t done yet.” Jason said, grabbing her arm as she turned away.

Alex sighed and looked up at him. “Jason, can we talk about this later...please?” she asked quietly. Something in her eyes made him let go and she quickly disappeared down the narrow hall and into the storeroom.

The storage room had four sets of metal shelving, one on each side wall and the other two back-to-back in the center of the small room, creating two aisles. Alex went to the back corner, farthest from the door, farthest from Jason. She leaned back against the shelves, hugging the clipboard and closed her eyes. Her heart was racing as she replayed the last few minutes in her mind.

Jason was getting divorced? She still couldn’t believe it. And Lisa had already signed the papers…just like that. If not for Billy’s confirmation she probably wouldn’t even believe him. It had been the fact that Jason was married that had kept her away from him this long. How could she keep telling him ‘no’, when she wanted him so bad? What was she supposed to do now?

It wouldn’t take long for Jason to figure out she was lying about seeing someone else; he already suspected it. She just hoped it would give her enough time to figure things out. Getting involved with Jason would only complicate things more than they already were and no doubt end in disaster...but damned if she didn’t want him anyway.

With a deep sigh, Alex pushed herself away from the shelving and turned to find Jason watching her from the end of the aisle. “You thinkin’ ‘bout me er yer new boyfriend?”

He had thought about leaving, but he wanted to get this settled now. Jason had paced back and forth in front of the bar, trying to remember if he’d seen her talking to anyone, paying anyone any special attention, but he knew he would have noticed. Of course, Bobby wouldn’t tell him anything, either. When he came back to the storeroom and saw her obviously deep in thought, he would have given anything to know what she was thinking about.

Alex turned to face the shelf and tried to focus on her inventory. “When I said we’d talk later, I didn’t mean five minutes later, Jason.”

Ignoring her comment, Jason walked up behind her. “I bet you was thinkin’ ‘bout me.” He said softly next to her ear.

“You would…” was her only reply.

“Y’know…I was out there thinkin’…if you was seeing some new bloke…then why ain’t I seen ‘im in the club?” he asked her. “You’d think he’d be in ‘ere t’see ya once in awhile.”

“He doesn’t like clubs.” Alex stated, staring at the jars of olives in front of her.

Jason chuckled. “Is ‘at right?” Putting a hand on the top shelf, he leaned closer. “So you must not see much a ‘im, eh?”

Alex shrugged. “So?”

“So…y’won’t mind much when I tell ‘im t’bugger off then.”

“Just stay out of it, Jason.” She said, rolling her eyes. If there really had been someone else she would no doubt have gotten very angry at his possessiveness. Who was he at that point to interfere?

Jason watched her profile as she pretended to concentrate on her work, just like she pretended she didn’t want him.

“Who is he, Alex?” he asked again, his voice low, but demanding.

“Nobody.” She snapped.

Jason grabbed her shoulder and turned her so her back was against the wall. “He’ll be nobody by the time I’m done with ‘im.” He growled. His green eyes were flashing and he was losing his patience.

Alex just looked at him for a minute, torn between wanting to smack him and wanting to grab him and kiss him until he couldn’t breathe. Why did he affect her like this? She should hate him, hate everything he stood for, but she didn’t. She wanted him now more than ever…and she was tired of fighting it.

“It’s nobody, Jason.” She told him with a resigning sigh. “There’s no one…I made it up.”

Jason took a step back, running his fingers through his hair. “I fuckin’ knew it…” he muttered to himself and then his eyes locked on Alex’s. “Why? Why would y’fuckin’ lie ‘bout that? I’m a free man…I’m all yers…ain’t that wot y’wanted?” He paused, taking a deep breath. “Ain’t that wot y’told me on th’beach that day? Er were y’lyin’ to me then, too?”

“No…that wasn’t a lie…” Alex assured him.

“Then what? I don’t get it.”

Alex didn’t really understand it herself. “I…I guess I never thought it would come to this…you’re no good for me, Jason, I know that…”

“You don’t know shit.” He interrupted.

“Yeah, I do…somewhere deep inside I do…and so do you, but God help me I wanted you anyway, but I never thought you’d leave Lisa. She was my safeguard, my only unwavering reason to stay away from you. She was my last excuse.”

“That’s right, sweetheart…” Jason said taking a step closer, his face hovering over hers. “No more excuses…no more lies…” His mouth was a just a hair’s breadth from hers. “No more waitin…”

Jason’s kiss was urgent…hungry…no, he would not be denied this time, and Alex accepted it. As her arms wound around his neck, Jason’s hands moved slowly down her back until he cupped the firm mounds of her ass and he pulled her tight against him so she could feel how hard he was, how much he wanted her.

He had grown hard the minute she admitted she wanted him and he knew he would not take ‘no’ for an answer.

Alex groaned into his mouth as he ground against her. Jason squeezed her buttocks and nearly lost it when his fingertips came in contact with warm skin just under the hem of her very short skirt.

An urgent growl rumbled deep in his throat and he pressed Alex back against the wall. His mouth moved heatedly down her neck while he hiked up her skirt and his fingers explored between her legs.

“Please…” Alex whispered. The need in that one word only added to his own. This wasn’t exactly how he had imagined their first time, but there was no way he was stopping now. He was not going to give her any chance to change her mind.

Jason’s lips covered hers once again while his fingers found her clit through the delicate lace of her thong. Alex whimpered as he manipulated the sensitive nub and she pressed her hips closer.

Jason groaned and slipped his fingers under the fabric, sliding them easily inside her.
“Christ, Alex…” he murmured against her mouth. She was so warm and so wet, he couldn’t wait to replace his fingers with his aching cock.

He pulled his head back a little to look into her rich brown eyes. He could see she was just as eager as he was. He watched her face as his fingers moved steadily in and out, while his free hand undid the buckle of his belt. Her hands moved to help him, but they both froze at the unmistakable sound of a shotgun being primed behind them.

“Get away from her, Locke.” Bobby demanded in a menacing growl.

“Un-fuckin’-believable…” Jason muttered without turning around. What was it with these guys? He felt the barrel of the gun pressed to the back of his neck.

“I said get away from her…” Bobby repeated, the cold steel digging into Jason’s skin. “…or I’ll blow your fuckin’ head off.”

“Bobby…” Alex said in a soothing tone, hoping to calm him down.

Bobby’s eyes only flickered toward Alex before boring into the back of Jason’s head. “I’ll do it, Alex…if he don’t get his ass out of here…I swear…I’ll fuckin’ do it.”

Jason still wouldn’t move, he didn’t even turn around, in fact his hand was still between Alex’s legs. “Either pull the fuckin’ trigger er get th’fuck out.” Jason told him, his eyes locked on Alex’s. “I ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

Alex swallowed slowly as Jason’s fingers started to move again. He knew Bobby was bluffing; he wouldn’t dare risk it with Alex so close. If he pulled the trigger he would kill both of them.

“Bobby, please…” Alex urged, “it’s fine…just go…”

Bobby couldn’t believe what she was saying. Did she really want to give in to this bastard? Then why did she lie and tell him she was seeing someone? No, he decided, she was afraid, that’s all…afraid of what Jason would do.

“It’s okay, Alex...c’mon, get out of there.” Bobby told her. “I won’t let him hurt you.”

“Just go, Bobby…he’s not going to hurt me!” she cried in frustration and Jason smiled, his finger’s still slowly fucking her. She was about to tell Bobby that unless he wanted to watch, he had better leave and leave now, but the pain she saw in his eyes stopped her.

“Y-you want this?” Bobby asked her. His eyes were on her now, the gun wavering, as if he had suddenly lost all his strength and it was too heavy to hold. “You want…him?” The last word nearly made Bobby sick.

Alex knew her answer would tear Bobby apart, but she was through denying it. She looked at Jason, who was waiting for her answer, as well. “Yes…” she said finally. Green eyes flashed in triumph and Jason kissed her hungrily, not giving another thought to the gun still pointed at his back.

As warm lips moved down her throat, Alex looked over Jason’s shoulder. “Jesus, Bobby…would you just get the fuck out of here?!”

Jason chuckled against her skin and he heard a clatter behind him as Bobby bumped into the shelving in his haste to leave the room. Lifting his head, he looked down at Alex. “Ain’t no turnin’ back now, babe.”

“I wasn’t planning on it.” She replied and reached for the button at the waistband of his trousers. With a quick yank Jason ripped her lacey thong off and dropped it to the floor as Alex unzipped his pants. A deep groan filled the room as she reached into his design briefs and gripped his aching cock. Her free hand pushed the fabric lower and his shaft sprang free.
They were both near frantic with their need, they had waited for what seemed like forever for this moment and there would be no stopping it now.

Jason pulled her left leg up roughly near his waist, shifting his hips until the tip of his cock found the moist opening between Alex’s legs. Alex gripped his shoulders, waiting for him to penetrate her, but he stopped, the smooth head of his shaft poised at her entrance.

“Jason…please…” she begged, barely a whisper next to his ear.

Jason turned his head to look at her. Her eyes were closed, her mouth parted, as she waited. “Jason…” she pleaded again.

He wanted to see her face when he entered her, her eyes. “Look at me, Alex.” He ordered.

She did as she was told, her brown eyes fluttering open, and he held her gaze as he pushed the head of his penis inside her. Both groaned with satisfaction that the waiting was over and Jason found it extremely difficult not to just ram his cock into her and fuck her senseless, but he had waited weeks for this and he wanted to savor every second of it.

Their eyes remained locked as Jason slowly pushed forward, his own eyes nearly closing as he relished the feel of her warm, wet pussy stretching around him. Alex held her breath as Jason slid into her, inch by inch, until he was fully sheathed, then gasped as he gave one last little push, pressing on her cervix.

He kept watching her face as he pulled back, again slowly, until the ridge of his cock nearly slipped out of her, and then he slid into her again at the same pace.

Alex couldn’t help it, her eyes closed and all she could feel was Jason’s cock sliding in and out, fucking her with such excruciating slowness she could barely stand it.

“Christ, Alex…” Jason growled under his breath. He hadn’t expected this…hadn’t expected it to be so different with her. He couldn’t explain it, it was more than he could have ever imagined. She was like no other woman he had ever experienced.

It surprised him when Alex suddenly pulled his head toward hers and hungrily claimed his mouth. He groaned as she pushed her pelvis into his, urging him on, and all his control vanished.

Jason lifted her right leg, effectively pinning her to the wall, and slammed into her. Alex cried out at the sudden jolt that coursed through her. Jason was relentless now, pounding his cock into her, pausing only when Alex’s legs began slipping from his grasp. He quickly adjusted his hold and continued on.

Alex’s cries and Jason’s groans filled the room as weeks of pent up passion neared its release. Every plunge of his cock brought them both closer and closer.

“Jason…” Alex gasped, her voice hoarse, her throat dry, as the first spasms hit her. Jason felt her muscles beginning to contract around him and he kept on until she found her voice, screaming his name as a powerful orgasm rocked her body.

Jason was right behind her, roaring as he exploded inside her, plunging deep and holding her against the wall. Alex could feel his cock twitching and the warmth of his cum as he filled her. He held her there with a few final strokes as he milked every drop from his cock. Alex clung to his shoulders and wrapped her legs around him, not wanting him to pull out just yet, but Jason had not even considered it.

He rested his forehead against the wall besides Alex’s. The intensity of the feelings running through him baffled him. “Jesus…” he whispered between gasps for air. His heart was pounding and he could feel Alex’s kept the same rapid rhythm.

“You can say that again…” she replied with a breathless chuckle.

Jason raised his head to look at her face. He thought she could never look more beautiful than she did at that moment, with the glow to her skin and a look of such complete satisfaction in her eyes. Maybe it was knowing that he was the reason for the flush to her cheeks and contentment in her eyes that affected him so. “Now yer mine…” he said huskily and before she could respond he covered her mouth with his.

Alex accepted his kiss eagerly, tightening her legs around his hips and pulling him tight against her. “And your mine…” she whispered against his lips.

Jason’s hands slid up her thighs and cupped the bare cheeks of her ass. “Yeah babe…I’m all yers…” he whispered back before kissing her again. He groaned into her mouth as she squeezed his cock with the muscles of her vagina. He pushed against her and felt himself beginning to get hard again.

Jason pulled his head back and looked at her, the lust beginning to burn bright again in his eyes. “Why don’t we go upstairs an’ do this right, yeah?” he suggested.

Though she hated the idea of letting go of that beautiful cock she’d been wanting for so long, the thought of getting Jason naked and in her bed won out. “Yeah…” she answered finally, but then kissed him again and squeezed him with her legs, letting him know she wanted more.

Jason grinned as she ended the kiss. “Don’t worry, babe…we ain’t nowhere near finished yet.”

Reluctantly, Alex released her hold and Jason pulled out of her as he set her back on her feet. He chuckled at her disappointed sigh. “You’ll ‘ave it back soon enough, sweet’eart.” Alex just gave him her Mona Lisa smile and pulled him down to another kiss. The kiss went straight to his cock and nearly had him ready to go again. “Y’keep that up, darlin’ an’ we won’t ever make it upstairs…” He brushed a strand of her hair back over her shoulder. “An’ I wanna feel that gorgeous body a yers underneath me next time I’m fuckin’ ya…”

Alex took a deep breath and her eyes seemed to glow while she imagined the scenario in her mind…a scene she had pictured many times before. With two hands firmly on his chest she pushed Jason back a few steps. “Then what are we just standing here for?”

Jason grinned as he watched Alex tug her denim skirt back over her hips where it should be and then he stuffed his stiffening cock back in his briefs. He zipped up his trousers and sucked air in through his teeth as Alex bent over to pick up her discarded panties from the floor, her skirt riding back up as she did so. “Christ….but you got a sweet li’l arse…” Jason hissed.

“So do you.” Alex said with a smile as she stood up.

Jason couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah? You been checkin’ out me arse?”

“Mmmm…every chance I get…”

“Well, aint you a naughty li’l bit…” Jason teased.

Alex only smiled and looked down at what was now just a scrap of lace in her hands. “Do you know how much these cost?”

“Don’t worry, babe…” Jason chuckled, “I’ll buy ya a new pair.”

“See that you do.” She scolded. They had been one of her favorite pair…not that it wasn’t worth it, she thought as she felt the tingling and wetness between her legs. A sly smile spread across Alex’s face as she decided to get one last use out of them and also see what kind of reaction she could get from Jason at the same time.

Alex looked up at Jason as she folded the lace as best she could and, opening her legs a bit, used it to wipe the creamy stickiness seeping from her sex.

Jason grinned, rather proud of himself, he’d given her a good load, for sure. He came off hard and long, more than usual, and a strong possessiveness came over him, vowing there would be no one else spilling his seed in that sweet little cunt.

His grin disappeared as Alex held up a finger and he could see the sheen of his cum on the tip. Jason swallowed hard and his cock jumped as Alex put the finger in her mouth and sucked it clean.

“Mmm…” she purred and gave her finger a seductive lick for good measure. Alex kept her eyes locked on Jason’s and smiled, licking her lips as she stepped close to him. With her body brushing against his, she stuffed her ruined panties into the front pocket of Jason’s pants, her hand squeezing his cock as she did so. “Now… she said, her hand stroking him through the fabric, “why don’t we get upstairs and I’ll show you just how naughty I can be.”

Jason only growled in response and grabbed her wrist, pulling her quickly out the door.

~~~~~~~~~

I suppose I should be ‘appy fer Jason…sounds like he’s finally getting’ wot he wants. An’ when Jason’s ‘appy, well, ‘at makes life a bit easier fer me, dunnit?

Can’t ‘elp but feel sorry fer Bobby though, poor sod…this ‘as all been devastatin’ fer ‘im.
After Jason followed Alex inta th’ back, I could tell Bobby were debatin’ ‘bout followin’, too. He asks me if it were true ‘bout Lisa an’ the divorce an’ all. “Yeah...” I says an’ tell ‘im how Lisa’d already signed the papers an’ everything an’ how we spent all mornin’ packin’ up Lisa’s stuff an’ getting’ rid a any sign a’er.

‘Course none a that made Bobby any ‘appier, mind you…so I ask if Alex were really seein’ someone.

“Nah…” he says, “I wish she was…I’d rather see her with anyone besides Locke…”

Guess I can see why he’d feel that way…I wouldn’t wanna see anyone I care ‘bout mixed up with Jason Locke. Even though I think it’s different with Alex, I still can’t see it endin’ well.

Then Bobby asks me, “Why d’ya suppose she lied to him?”

I just shrug, “Don’t know…” I tell ‘im and think about fer a bit. “Maybe she really don’t want nothin’ t’do with ‘im…er at least she’s smart ‘nuf t’know better.”

That’s when Bobby’s face turns t’stone an’ them dark eyes a his look like shiny black marbles an’ he grabs that shotgun he has under the bar an’ then he looks at me, as if he’s waitin’ fer me t’say summat…waitin’ fer me t’stop ‘im. But I ain’t daft, I ain’t getting’ in th’way of a bloke with a gun in ‘is ‘and an’ that look in ‘is eyes. So I just stepped aside an’ watched ‘im go down the hall.

Maybe I shoulda tried t’stop ‘im…I’m sure Jason’ll ‘ave summat t’say ‘bout it, but I guess it all worked out in Jason’s favor anyway, didn’t it? Maybe he’ll be too busy with Alex t’even think about it.

But Bobby, though…when he came back t’the bar…the look on ‘is face…it were just gut-wrenchin,’ like he’d just lost everything that was important to ‘im. I guess in a manner a speakin’ he did, eh?

He came out and dropped ‘at shotgun on the bar and grabbed a bottle an’ a glass. He downs two shots ‘fore he even looks at me. I didn’t say nothing…didn’t know what to say really.
“She told me to get the fuck out.” He says an’ downs another. Then he looks at me an’ says, “Guess she ain’t so smart after all, eh?” It looked like he was gonna be sick.

When he pours hisself another shot he asks if I wanna join ‘im. “Nah…” I tell him. That stuff he’s drinkin’ll rot yer insides.

I can just imagine wot’s goin’ through ‘is ‘ead an’ I wish I had summat t’say t’help. But knowin’ wot’s goin’ onin that other room, I don’t think anythin’ I come up with’ll make it any better.

Mick an’ that big bloke, Shawn, come in an they know summat’s up right away. Ol’ Mick nearly has a stroke when he find’s out Jason is in the storeroom with Alex.

“And you didn’t try to stop him?” he says to Billy.

Bobby just glares at ‘im and’ then looks at that shotgun. “You think I didn’t try?” he says. “She told me to get the fuck out.”

‘Course Mick weren’t none too ‘appy ‘bout that. “Fuck…I knew this was gonna happen.” He looks down the hall an’ then back at the big guy. “They wouldn’t do anything in the storeroom, would they? They’re just talkin’, right?”

That’s when we start t’ear ‘em...an’ they sure weren’t doin’ any talkin’.

And ‘at’s when Bobby lost it, too…he weren’t gonna sit ‘round an’ listen t’that. He grabs at bottle he’d been suckin’ down an’ starts headin’ fer th’door, but Mick tells ‘im, “Leave the bottle, mate.” Bobby flashes ‘im a look that’d drop a man where he stood an’ then he smashes ‘at bottle on the bar and heads out the door without another word.

Now the three a us….we’re all a bit stunned, t’sat the least…’til Mick finally thinks to after ‘im. Don’t know if Alex an’ Jason heard the rumpus, but I’d guess from the sounds still driftin’ down the hall, they ain’t payin’ it no mind if they did.

Me an’ Shawn set t’cleanin’ up the broken glass an’ Shawn says he’ll hold off on getting’ the mop seein’ that it’s back in the storeroom. I ‘m thinkin’ that’s gotta be a good idea since it sounded like Jason were finishin’ ‘er off good right about then. Don’t think he’d be takin’ any interruption very well…not very well at all.

So Shawn puts the gun back under the bar an’ then he’s wonderin’ if he should call another bartender in fer th’night when Mick comes back in. He says Bobby’s outside an’ t’wait an’ see if he cools off enough t’stick around. I’m sure he ain’t gonna wanna look at Jason an’ Alex all night, but my guess is we won’t be seein’ much a them anyway.

We’re all sittin’ ‘round, not really sure wot t’say, when they come outa th’back. Jason’s got Alex by the hand an’ looks like he’s in a hurry to get somewhere.

Alex ignores the look she’s getting’ from Mick an’ starts to tell ‘im she won’t be in the club tonight, but ol’ Mick just glares at ‘er and says, “We need to talk.”

“We can talk tomorrow.” She tells ‘im an’ then looks ‘round at the rest a us. “Where’s Bobby?” she asks then.

That set ol’ Mick off. “Oh, so NOW you’re worried about Bobby?” He really let’s her ‘ave it then…sayin’ things that ain’t too nice…things I don’t think I’ll be repeatin’ ‘ere.

Just when it looks like Jason is about shut Mick up hisself, Alex finally hears enough. “Yeah, I know Mick, I’m a despicable bitch…” she tells ‘im. Now I don’t know if I’d go as far as all ‘at, but I think I think she’s feelin’ bad ‘bout Bobby. I don’t think she really wanted to hurt ‘im, but she just couldn’t help ‘erself. She ain’t the first, after all…Jason seems t’ave that affect on ‘em fer some reason.

Alex tells ‘em she’s takin’ the night off and Jason tells me the same. Says t’let Pete know an’ be sure the club is covered fer th’night. Then he tells me t’make sure everything gets sorted like planned, meanin’ Lisa, of course, an’ t’call ‘im in th’mornin’…an’ not before.

An’ that’s that…they disappear upstairs for the rest a th’night an’ I’m headed back t’Jason’s t’wait fer Lisa.

I see Bobby outside. He’s sittin’ on the pavement, ‘is head in ‘is hands…lookin’ pitiful, t’be sure. So I think maybe I should check on ‘im ‘fore I leave. I walk up to ‘im and he asks me straight away, “Are they finished?” He don’t even look up.

“Yeah…” I tell ‘im, even though I know they was prob’ly only just getting’ started. “…they went upstairs.”

He rubs ‘is eyes with th’palms a ‘is hands an’ then brushes that hair back outa ‘is face.
“Fuck…” he says t’no one in particular an’ leans ‘is head back ‘gainst the wall, closin’ ‘is eyes fer a bit. Can’t help but feel sorry fer ‘im…I consider ‘im a mate…but there ain’t nothin’ I can do ‘bout this.

He takes a deep breath an’ pulls ‘is pack a fags from ‘is shirt pocket. He offers me one, but I give it a swerve, so he lights one up fer hisself and gives it a good long drag.

“What is it about him?” he asks me then.

“Dunno…” I tell him. I been tryin’ t’figure that one out since th’day I met Jason. Bobby, he just shakes ‘is head an’ takes another drag.

He’s a good bloke, and I ‘ate t’see ‘im like this, but if I don’t get back t’Jason’s before Lisa gets there, it’ll be my arse on the pavement, an’ I won’t be sittin’ there suckin’ a fag. So I asks him if I can give ‘im a lift.

He thinks fer a minute and then shakes ‘is head. “Nah…thanks though. Knowin’ Alex, if she took him upstairs, we won’t be seein’ either one of them til morning.” He takes one last drag an’ flicks the butt t’the curb. “Might as well go back an’ work…otherwise I’ll just sit at home an make myself sick.”

He’s probably right about that, so I tell ‘im I’ll see ‘im t’morrow.

“You ain’t comin’ back here tonight?” he asks me.

“I gotta take care a summat fer Jason.” I tell him without elaboratin’.

“Right.” He says and pulls the pack a’ fags out t’light up another. I start t’head to the car, but he stops me.

“Billy…” he says, “…he wouldn’t hurt her, would he?”

“No, Bobby…I don’t think he would.” I tell ‘im, an’ I pray t’God I’m right.